The NCAA held its selection show for the 2021 Division I Soccer Tournament on Monday, with a total of 64 teams competing starting this Friday, Nov. 12.
Automatic bids were given to 31 of the teams, 28 of which qualified through winning their conference tournaments. The other three bids were awarded to the conference champions of the Ivy League, Pac-12 and West Coast Conference. Selection of the remaining 33 teams is carried out by the NCAA Women’s Soccer Committee.
The first round of the tournament takes place Nov. 12-14, while the second and third rounds will occur Nov. 19 and 21. Quarterfinal matches will be played on Nov. 26 or 27.
These first four rounds will be held at various locations depending on each conference’s highest-seeded team. However, defending national champions Santa Clara will hold the College Cup semifinals and finals, Dec. 3 and 5 at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Last year’s College Cup was held in April and May of 2021 due to schedule adjustments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Santa Clara defeated Florida State 4-1 in penalty kicks to earn their second national title in a tight match that held each team to a goal apiece through overtime.
The 12th-ranked Broncos will look to defend their title at home. This season, they went 11-5-2, with their most notable losses against Virginia, UCLA and Stanford. The No. 1 seed Virginia is anticipated to be a top contender for the championship, with UCLA following as one of the four No. 2 seeds.
Florida State will be eager to prove themselves following their loss in May. Led by senior midfielder Jaelin Howel, the Seminoles look to capture their third NCAA title. Sophomore transfer Beata Olsson leads the team with 11 goals on the season and was named to the All-ACC Second Team.
The first round kicks off Friday at 5 p.m EST with the first game between Tennessee and Lipscomb.
Click here to see the NCAA's full bracket for the tournament.